US-made ratcheting wrenches?

[brianpgriset]

I think Gearwrenches or at least that type and the spot on clones are of nice enough quality it is really just not worth the money or effort to find the USA version.

You know, I agree with this. You can get a nice big Gearwrench set with a lifetime warranty for a pretty good price, and can exchange them at a whole host of stores. I would just get the Gearwrench's but if you set on USA made, then go for the snappy's.

 

[Merkava_4]

The forging is made here, But the ratchet mechinism is the same as the blue point. We all know where those come from.

Ding Ding! We have a winner... same as the Craftsman/Artmstrong/Matco deal....

You guys are sure pessimistic. I'm sending them an email Monday asking them where their mechanisms are made.

 

[eschoendorff]

Not pessimistic - REALISTIC.

 

[reversegear]

The SK ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan by the same factory that produces them for Facom. Top-notch quality (if Facom will accept it, i's good), but not USA made.

The Blue Point and Snap-On ratcheting wrenches are made by a different Taiwan factory, forging and all. I don't know how that factory handles the different quality standards for the two brands, or even if they do differentiate.

As vjquan and Merkava_4 said, Craftsman and Armstrong are produced in the USA by Danaher. Danaher is currently the only company to make this tool in the USA. I can say with confidence that they are not importing any of the components for the ratchet mechanism. Good tools, but not better than the imported SK ones.

 

[wilbilt]

Craftsman and Armstrong are produced in the USA by Danaher. Danaher is currently the only company to make this tool in the USA. I can say with confidence that they are not importing any of the components for the ratchet mechanism.

That is great news. How can any of us consumers know for sure that it is true? Having "USA" stamped on the tool is open to much interpretation.

I would love to see a spot on some TV series showing the actual manufacture of these tools on US soil.

 

[reversegear]

That is great news. How can any of us consumers know for sure that it is true? Having "USA" stamped on the tool is open to much interpretation.

I would love to see a spot on some TV series showing the actual manufacture of these tools on US soil.

Consumers are screwed in this respect. But the tool business is... incestuous, in that the same guys move around from Danaher to Stanley to Snap-On, etc., so it pays for a company to be very careful with the Made in USA label. The cost savings of using imported components is not worth the risk of discovery and a visit from the FTC.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

The Blue Point and Snap-On ratcheting wrenches are made by a different Taiwan factory, forging and all. I don't know how that factory handles the different quality standards for the two brands, or even if they do differentiate.

I don't know about the FDP ratcheting wrenches by SO tho, I saw a picture of it being assembled in the back of SO's catalogue. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[wrenchr]

The matco is that same as the gearwrench. I'm willing to bet the ratchet guts will interchange.

 

[reversegear]

I don't know about the FDP ratcheting wrenches by SO tho, I saw a picture of it being assembled in the back of SO's catalogue. Maybe I'm wrong.

I think you are, but I'd like to know more about what you saw. Which year catalog was it? I'd like to see the picture.

The matco is that same as the gearwrench. I'm willing to bet the ratchet guts will interchange.

Matco is Danaher, made in USA. You are right about the parts. Same design.

 

[DavidtheDuke]

I think you are, but I'd like to know more about what you saw. Which year catalog was it? I'd like to see the picture.

Last years, I guess (07). It was the offset FDP combo wrenches. It was about the third-to-last page. On the right of the photo was a paragraph explaining what the working was doing (assembling the ratchet wrench) in one of their hand tool plants.

 

[jay50]

The forging is made here, But the ratchet mechinism is the same as the blue point. We all know where those come from.

Saw Craftsmans version of this set (with more wrenches) for $69 (IIRC) last week.

 

[li0nhart123]

Yep, I have a older set of Craftsman ratcheting wrenches and is says "Made in USA" on the side ...

Made In USA or CANADA does not mean that the individual parts are sourced here....parts could be made overseas with the final product or part of it assembled in North America.

 

[krusty the clown]

"all or virtuall all"..........kinda leave a lot for interpretation don't it!

 

[theamcaddict]

Do these apply?

http://www.stanleyproto.com/xhtml/literature/Proto Ratcheting Flex-Box Wrench Flyer.pdf